Dance Studies, B.A.

Program Chair: Amanda Ling, M.F.A.

Available in the Day College.

The degree programs in Dance seek to prepare major students for careers in performance, teaching, advocacy and administration of dance as fine art. The curriculum is firmly rooted in the technical study of Contemporary dance and other diverse forms. Dedicated to an inclusive curriculum, the dance program offers studio classes at the beginning level to all students. Intermediate- Advanced coursework is designed for the dance major with enrollment determined by technical proficiency requirements and Instructor approval. In addition, training and opportunities provided through Dance Company and Leadership Semester experiences enable students to develop the knowledge and dispositions needed to engage as leaders in the dance field.

Students may choose from the Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education to certify as a teacher of dance in the Pre-K - 12 school setting and the Bachelor of Arts in Dance Studies non-certification degree program.

Requirements for all Dance Majors:

All dance majors must remain active members of the Columbia College Dance Company (CCDC) every semester in attendance at the College. Participation in the CCDC requires co-requisite enrollment in at least one Contemporary dance course, one additional course from the Movement Practices Strand, and engagement in a self-directed, physical wellness practice. Dance Education majors are excused from these requirements during their final semester of directed teaching. In addition to these and the requirements specified by each major, BA-Dance Education majors must meet technical proficiency standards in two dance forms: Contemporary Techniques and Somatic Techniques demonstrating placement in DAN 441  and completing DAN 418  with a grade of “B” or better for two consecutive semesters prior to Directed Teaching.

Formula for Calculating Credit Hours in Dance:

For non-studio courses, a semester hour of credit represents at least 3 hours of work each week. A three semester hour course includes three hours of in-class instruction plus six hours of work outside of class for each week.

For Dance Traditions and CoLAB Studio courses, a semester hour of credit represents at least 3 hours each week, including 1.5 hours of in-class instruction plus 1.5 hours of work outside of class for physical practice. Technique courses are 1 semester hour and include 2 - 2.5 hours of in-class instruction plus 1 hours of work outside of class for physical practice each week.

For Choreography courses, a semester hour of credit represents at least 3 hours of work each week. Choreography courses are 2 semester hours and include 2.5 hours of in-class instruction and 3.5 hours of work outside of class for each week.